Even though many Somalis will openly declair hatred toward the western world and Christianity, they come here because they know the doctors will not lie and cheat them like in other hospitals. This has created an amazing opportunity for sharing Christ’s love with this very unreached nation.
The first two weeks of ministry in the hospital has been a lot of observation on my part, learning the very different ways the Somalis interact and trying to learn a little Somali at the same time. The time was good, and necessary for myself to sit quietly and learn. But this last week, Wednesday the 7th, God gave me the opportunity to speak.
I had spent a good amount of time over the last two Wednesdays with a mother and her three year old daughter, Leila, from Somalia. Leila walked over a mine on a road outside of Somalia’s capitol city about two months ago. She now has her right leg amputated at the knee, but by the grace of God the doctors were able to save her right hand through many reconstructive surgeries. On Wednesday her mother and I had an amazing conversation. It started with her asking, through a translator, what encouragment I could offer her during this difficult time. That opened the door to an hour and a half long conversation about Jesus and Christianity. I was able to share my testimony with her and she, in return, told me of Islam. She spoke very passionatly about her religion and I could feel it was from a caring spirit wanting me to know the ‘truth’ about Islam. The main differences in our discussion were this, that Jesus was God and that you can know that you will go to heaven when you die. That it is possible to have an assurance of where your eternity is spent, and peace beyond understanding while on earth. Even though she did not agree with my faith, I am praying that something that was said will stay with her and that she will one day meet her savior face to face. I count it the greatest honor to have spent that time with this women. She told me at one point that if she was seen speaking to me like that in Somalia, she would have been killed. Please pray for this dear woman, and the other Somali men, women and children at Kijabe Hospital. Please pray that myself, the rest of the team and the staff of the hospital would have the utmost in wisdom in sharing the gospel. We count it a joy and pleasure!
As I write, the team is preparing to leave tomorrow morning for an eight hour drive north to live with a Maasai tribe for five days. We are all very excited and can not wait to update you on our adventures with the Maasai when we get back! God Bless!
Thanks,Alyssa Reilly for mentioning my son Judson in your blog. I was wondering what he was up to. Tell him that was an answer to my prayers that he was able to experience different understandings and reactions to Christianity and Islam. Keep your eye on the Father like Jesus taught and lived. With Love,Sincerely,mom.